our weekly

Stanley O. Williford  |   OW Editor
Feb 23 2012

Press conference and demonstration set for today

A local organization—the Young Black Contractors Association Inc.—is threatening to “occupy” the Gerald Desmond Bridge in Long Beach today. A press conference is set for 9 a.m.

A flier the organization sent out claims that “The Gerald Desmond Bridge Project Must Be Stopped.”

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Dec 8 2011

Two other businesses harmed

A fast-moving fire in the attic of a one-story strip mall that houses the Our Weekly offices caused damage to two businesses early Saturday morning, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The fire, reported at 3:56 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, brought 119 Los Angeles firefighters to 8720 S. Western Ave. in South Los Angeles, where they discovered heavy smoke billowing from a liquor store at the north end of a five-tenant row of businesses that shared a common attic.

Dec 4 2011

No injuries

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A fire inside the attic of a one-story strip mall in South Los Angeles this morning damaged two businesses, but didn't hurt anybody, according to fire officials.

Firefighters responded to 8712 Western Avenue at 3:56 a.m., said fire department spokesman Brian Humphrey. They discovered heavy smoke coming from a liquor store at the north end of a six-tenant row of businesses.

The fire, in a common attic, was put out in about 35 minutes by 119 firefighters, Humphrey said.

Nov 22 2011

Have a safe day everyone

Stanley O. Williford  |   OW Editor
Jul 28 2011

Villaraigosa, other politicians welcome the organization

There were many congrats and kudos floating around at Getty House, the residence of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Well-wishers roamed the lawn on Saturday, snacking, chatting and hobnobbing with such luminaries as NAACP president and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous, chairman of the national board of directors Roslyn M. Brock and local politicians and other guests.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”